Google News
The latest episode of WWE's signature development program, "WWE NXT," garnered an average viewership of 717,000 on the USA Network, with 298,000 viewers from the crucial 18 to 49 age demographic, as reported by "Wrestlenomics." This demographic segment equated to a 0.23 rating, mirroring the rating obtained by the July 25th episode of "NXT" - a key index widely valued by advertisers, and highlighting a consistent appeal to this vital audience group.
Regarding overall viewership, "NXT" witnessed a modest 2% increase from the previous week's 703,000 viewers. This rise has been part of a trend since WWE regularly featured main roster superstars such as Baron Corbin, Dominik Mysterio, Rhea Ripley, Mustafa Ali, and Dana Brooke.
Including these high-profile talents has significantly contributed to the viewership boost, propelling the 18-49 critical demo rating to its highest since "NXT" transitioned to Tuesday nights in 2021. This week's episode marks the third consecutive week where the show has drawn over 700,000 viewers, a feat not achieved in over two years.
"NXT's Steady Year-over-Year Growth"
Year-over-year data paints a similar picture of consistent growth. Compared to the August 2, 2022, episode that attracted 649,000 viewers, "NXT" has seen an impressive near 11% increase in viewership.
The 18-49 critical demographic rating has also surged 54% from last year's 0.15 rating. According to "Wrestling Observer Online," this marks the 17th consecutive week the 18-49 rating has seen a year-over-year rise, reinforcing the brand's steady expansion.
For context, the May 23, 2023, "NXT" episode pulled in 578,000 viewers. This means that the program has made substantial strides in just three months, reflecting the effectiveness of WWE's strategy of integrating main roster talents into the show.
Whether WWE will continue this successful formula of showcasing more main roster stars on its development platform remains an intriguing question. Given the growing interest from fans and promising viewership figures, coupled with a potential to cultivate emerging talent alongside seasoned stars, this strategy could become a permanent and innovative fixture in their programming.